light microscope

plural light microscopes

1. A scientific instrument which provides a magnified view of very small objects that are illuminated with visible light which then passes through optical lenses.

   A big world beyond the limits of the ordinary light microscope now lies open to exploration.

   1942 December 14, “Science: Seeing by Electron Waves”, in Time, retrieved 25 Aug 2015

   2 more examples

   [M]acromolecular assemblies. . ., which include viruses, are too large to study by conventional X-ray diffraction methods, but too small to be seen under a light microscope.

   1982 October 19, Harold M. Schmeck Jr., “Chemistry prize goes for research into intimate details of virus structure”, in New York Times, retrieved 25 Aug 2015

   Unlike the most powerful electron microscopes—which can see down to the scale of individual molecules—or fluorescent-based microscopes—which rely on the use of coloured dyes—the new light microscope does not need to interfere in any way with the living material it is used to study.

   2011 March 2, Steve Connor, “‘Limitless’ microscope to aid virus research”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 25 Aug 2015

   Synonyms: LM, optical microscope